City of Gaffney officially takes possession of old post office building

It's official - the City of Gaffney now owns the former post office.

Gaffney Administrator James Taylor said the closing documents were signed Friday.

Taylor will meet with the Gaffney City Council Building and Grounds Committee this week to determine the next step for the project.

City officials plan to transform the 13,000-square-foot historic structure on North Granard Street into an artist gallery, visitors center and a community meeting room.

City officials used a $400,000 appropriation in the state budget to purchase the $335,000 building.

The remaining portion of the state appropriation and the city's hospitality tax will cover the renovation costs.

It will take as long as 20 months to complete the renovations.

City leaders were outbid for the building when it first went on the market about 17 years ago.

According to sources, the asking price for the building at that time was $85,000.

The building was owned by Ralph Dickson of Gastonia, N.C.